Handy fluid tube

ABSTRACT

A handy fluid tube includes a tube having a top end and a bottom end, a first fluid, for example, medical fluid, alcohol or cosmetic fluid contained in the tube, a second fluid with high viscosity and high adhesive contained in the tube and forming a floating stopper to seal the bottom end of the tube, and a sealing cap fastened to the tube and movable relative to the tube between a first position to seal the top end of the tube for causing the second fluid to seal the bottom end of the tube and a second position to open the top end for letting the atmospheric pressure enter the tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluid tube and more particularly to ahandy fluid tube that carries a first fluid for application and a secondfluid that seals the bottom end of the tube when the top end of the tubeis sealed and opens the bottom end of the tube for enabling the firstfluid to flow out of the tube through the bottom end of the tube whenthe top end of the tube is opened.

2. Description of the Related Art

When applying a fluid to the surface of an electronic component or theskin of a person for the purpose of cleaning or skin care, a cotton pad,sponge or any other applicator means may be used. When using a cottonpad, sponge or fluid applicator to pick up a fluid from a fluidcontainer for application, the fluid may drop from the fluid containeraccidentally, causing contamination.

There is a fluid tube sealing a fluid. The fluid tube has a breakableneck. When the user breaks the breakable neck, the fluid tube is openedfor allowing the contained fluid to flow out of the tube. This design offluid tube is convenient for use, carrying and keeping. However, thebreakable neck of the fluid tube tends to be broken accidentally,causing the contained fluid to flow out of the tube. Further, whenbreaking the breakable neck, the contained fluid may splash, causingcontamination.

There is known another design of fluid tube, which comprises a tubeholding a fluid, a floating stopper formed of a high-viscosity,high-adhesion fluid and adapted to seal the bottom end of the tube, anda plug plugged into the top end of the tube. When the plug is unpluggedfrom the top end of the tube, the atmospheric pressure enters the tubeto force the fluid and the floating stopper. At this time, the floatingstopper is adhered to the inside wall of the tube for enabling the fluidto flow out of the tube through the bottom end of the tube. This designof fluid tube is still not satisfactory in function. Because of limitedcontact area between the plug and the tube, the plug tends to be movedaway from the tube accidentally. Further, frequently plugging andunplugging the plug may cause contamination, affecting the quality ofthe contained fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is one object of the present invention to provide a handy fluidtube that carries a first fluid for application and a second fluid thatseals the bottom end of the tube when the top end of the tube is sealedand opens the bottom end of the tube for enabling the first fluid toflow out of the tube through the bottom end of the tube when the top endof the tube is opened. It is another object of the present invention toprovide a handy fluid tube, which is convenient for carrying withoutcausing contamination.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a handyfluid tube comprises a tube having a top end and a bottom end, a firstfluid, for example, medical fluid, alcohol or cosmetic fluid containedin the tube, a second fluid with high viscosity and high adhesivecontained in the tube and forming a floating stopper to seal the bottomend of the tube, and a sealing cap fastened to the tube and movablerelative to the tube between a first position to seal the top end of thetube for causing the second fluid to seal the bottom end of the tube anda second position to open the top end for letting the atmosphericpressure enter the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a handy fluid tube in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a handy fluid tube in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a handy fluid tube in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a tube 1,a first fluid 2 contained in the tube 1, a second fluid 3 set in oneend, namely, the bottom end 12 of the tube 1 and working as a floatingstopper to stop the bottom end 12 of the tube 1 and a sealing cap 4capped on the other end, namely, the top end 11 of the tube 1. The firstfluid 2 can be medical fluid, alcohol or cosmetic fluid. The secondfluid (floating stopper) 3 has the characteristics of high molecularweight, high purity and high viscosity, high chemical stability and lowvolatility. The second fluid (floating stopper) 3 does not react with ordissolve in the first fluid 2. The second fluid (floating stopper) 3effectively prohibits the first fluid 2 from flowing out of the tube 1through the bottom end 12.

The sealing cap 4 has rounded flanges 41 protruded from the inside wallthereof and press-fitted onto the upper part 13 of the tube 1 to sealthe top end 11 of the tube 1, and a handle 42 extended from the top wallthereof for the hand to grasp. Through the handle 42, the user can capthe sealing cap 4 onto the upper part 13 of the tube 1 or remove thesealing cap 4 from the tube 1 conveniently.

When operating the handle 42 to move the sealing cap 4 relative to thetube 1 for enabling outside air to enter the tube 1, the air pressureforces the first fluid 2 and the second fluid (floating stopper) 3 toflow downwards. At this time, the second fluid (floating stopper) 3 isadhered to the inside wall of the tube 1 subject to its physicalcharacteristics, allowing the first fluid 2 to flow out of the tube 1through the bottom end 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a handy fluid tube in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment issubstantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with theexception of the structure of the sealing cap 4. The sealing cap 4according to this second embodiment has a plurality of rounded flanges41 press-fitted into the inside of the upper part 13 of the tube 1 toseal the top end 11 of the tube 1. Similar to the aforesaid firstembodiment, the user can operate the handle 42 to move the sealing cap 4relative to the tube 1, the atmospheric pressure enters the tube 1 toforce the first fluid 2 and the second fluid (floating stopper) 3downwards. At this time, the second fluid (floating stopper) 3 isadhered to the inside wall of the tube 1 subject to its physicalcharacteristics, allowing the first fluid 2 to flow out of the tube 1through the bottom end 12.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

1. A handy fluid tube, comprising a tube having an inside wall, anoutside wall, a top end and a bottom end, a first fluid contained insaid tube, a second fluid having the characteristics of high viscosityand high adhesion contained in said tube to form a floating stopper toseal said bottom end in such a manner that when said top end is sealed,said second fluid seals said bottom end to prohibit flowing of saidfirst fluid out of said tube through said bottom end; when said top endis opened to let the atmosphere pressure enters said tube, said secondfluid is forced to adhere to the inside wall of said tube for enablingsaid first fluid to flow out of said tube through said bottom end,wherein said top end of said tube is detachably sealed with a sealingcap, said sealing cap being movable relative to said tube between afirst position to seal said top end of said tube for causing said secondfluid to seal said bottom end of said tube and a second position to opensaid second end for letting the atmospheric pressure enter said tube,said sealing cap having a plurality of rounded flanges kept in contactwith said tube.
 2. The handy fluid tube as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid sealing cap is capped on the outside wall of said tube to keep saidrounded flanges in close contact with the outside wall of said tube. 3.The handy fluid tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing cap ispress-fitted into said tube to keep said rounded flanges in closecontact with the inside wall of said tube.